After nearly a year of silence, the music is set to return to Panchkula’s nightclubs. Beginning tomorrow, all clubs, cafés, and bars across the city will be allowed to operate till 3 AM, marking the end of a prolonged shutdown that had crippled the nightlife industry and rendered over 1,000 employees jobless.
The decision comes after a meeting held at the Sector 5 police station, where ACP Surender Dhodi and SHO Rupesh Chaudhary met club owners and issued a fresh set of operating guidelines. Among the key directives: no hookah will be permitted under any circumstances. “Strict action will be taken against any club found violating this rule,” the officials warned.
The clubs have also been instructed to install high-quality CCTV cameras, ensure police verification of all staff, and employ only bouncers certified by the Pasara unit. Additionally, clubs are required to maintain detailed guest records, noting down the entry of every individual attending an event or party.
Club owners have welcomed the decision, calling it a much-needed lifeline. Abhinav Bansal and Akash, co-owners of Purple Frog, said the industry had been reeling under losses, with no clarity on when operations could resume. “This reopening is a huge relief. We’re ready to follow every rule to the letter,” said Bansal.
Karun Chawla, who runs Dimoka Club, echoed the sentiment. “We’ve waited a long time for this. The closure hit us hard, but we’re grateful to the administration for giving us a second chance. Now it’s up to us to ensure there are no lapses,” he said.
Manik, owner of Armenia Club, added that customers had been flocking to Chandigarh and Mohali during the closure, leading to a major business shift. “We hope to win them back with a safe and vibrant experience.”
Piyush from Mikabi Club said the extended hours till 3 AM would give the industry a much-needed revenue boost, while Partish, who runs Bodega Club, said reopening would bring back not just business but also jobs. “Many of our staff members were out of work for months. This is a comeback for all of us,” he said.
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The Panchkula police have made it clear that any violations will lead to immediate action. Club owners, however, have assured full cooperation. “We want to rebuild our business, we will do learned our lessons. Now, it’s about rebuilding responsibly,” said Akash.
Do’s and Don’ts for Panchkula Nightclubs
Do’s
• Install high-quality CCTV cameras covering all key areas.
• Ensure police verification of all club staff.
• Employ bouncers certified by the Pasara unit.
• Maintain a record of all guests, including entry and exit details.
• Adhere strictly to the 3 AM closing time.
• Cooperate fully with routine police checks and inspections.
Don’ts
• No hookah allowed under any circumstances.
• No employment of unverified or uncertified bouncers.
• No entry without proper guest registration.
• Don’t ignore surveillance blind spots — all areas must be covered.
• Avoid any activity that could lead to disturbance or public nuisance.